Tonka is a name that has been around since before I can remember. Children played with Tonka products when I was a kid, and they are still playing with them now that I’m a mom with children of my own. Well, this ingenious and innovative company has come out with yet another new type of Tonka truck to add to their already beloved collection of products.
Tonka Tinys are out, running, or, should I say driving, rampant into the lives of children everywhere. My little guy has five of these adorable mini vehicles, which, although they are identical to the larger version of Tonka classic toys, are small enough to fit right into his pocket so he can take them anywhere he wants to go.
My son’s inventory of Tonka Tinys includes a firetruck, a helicopter, a police car, a tow truck, and a bulldozer. In all, Tonka has created 22 Tinys, each with its own garage to be stored in. Another great feature of this toy, including garage, is that the garages are stackable and can easily be placed one on top of another for play or easy storage. They can also be connected side by side. The trucks have wheels that turn which are great for any surface. This is a wonderful truck not only for kids, but also for collectors. Their style identically mimmicks the real thing.
Upon purchase, Tonka Tinys are blind boxed, which means that each one comes sealed in its own garage, or shipping container, but without a label to give a clue as to which truck is inside. When purchasing more than one of the Tonka Tinys, there is always the possibility of getting doubles, but, for their reasonable price, a double of one style isn’t such a bad thing.
Tonka, although a worldwide corporation these days, has grown by leaps and bounds since it began in 1947. It was started by a company called Mound Metalcraft Company which manufactured garden tools in the basement of a schoolhouse in Minnesota. The staff consisted of six people who took part in the design of two different toy trucks. From those two designs, these same six people actually manufactured 37,000 trucks. Customers loved the new toy and the little company sold out of them in only a few months. In 1949 the first Tonka dump truck was manufactured, and the rest is history.
Tonka Tinys are the perfect toy to bring along when I am bringing my son with me to run errands. These little trucks keep him interested and busy as we sit in a waiting room while the car is being serviced, or waiting to be called in to the doctor’s office. They keep his mind both active and creative while at restaurants. He just drops a couple of Tonka Tinys into his pocket and we’re off.
Tonka Tinys are suggested for ages five and up. They are just great for my fun loving and busy little guy, anytime, anywhere.